Philip Larkin (1922-85) was not only one of the foremost English poets of the twentieth century, but also a notable novelist and a distinguished writer on jazz. He was jazz critic for The Daily Telegraph between 1961 and 1971. Jazz Writings brings together Larkin's reviews, articles and essays written for The Guardian, The Observer, The New Statesman, and numerous other publications.

Richard Palmer is Head of English at Bedford School, an HMC-Ofsted Inspector and a Consultant for NatWest Bank. He writes regularly for Jazz Journal International and is Series Editor for Eastnote, Hull University Pressâ?Ts new imprint of jazz studies. He is the author of a number of books on jazz. John White is Reader in American History at the University of Hull. He is the author of Billie Holiday: Her Life and Times (1987), Black Leadership in America (1985, revised 1998) and Artie Shaw: Non-Stop Flight (1998).